When you’re preparing to put your home on the market, choosing the best time for your open house is more important than you might think. It can affect how much attention your home gets and how quickly it sells.
So whether you’re looking to sell your home in Anchorage, Alaska or Bozeman, Montana, this Redfin guide will help you choose the ideal time to hold an open house to highlight your home’s strengths, attract more buyers, and stand out from your competitors.
Why timing is important
You’ve probably heard the phrase “timing is everything.” In the real estate industry, choosing the best time for your open house is one of the easiest ways to increase your visibility and encourage a stronger offer.
Buyer activity fluctuates throughout the week and even throughout the day. Scheduling your open house when buyers are most active increases foot traffic and increases your chances of receiving a stronger offer.
Natural light and weather conditions also play a role. Planning your open house for a bright, cozy time of day will help your home feel warmer, larger, and more inviting.
Competition is also important. If multiple homes in your area are holding open houses at the same time, you may need to compete for buyers’ attention. Choosing a strategic time will help your home stand out rather than blend in with its surroundings.
Ultimately, timing influences first impressions, and first impressions drive decisions. Choosing the right timing will ensure that more buyers walk through your door, stay longer, and leave with a strong interest in your home.
Choose the best day of the week
The choice of day can have a significant impact on both visitor numbers and buyer interest. Although weekends remain popular, weeknight open houses are becoming more popular in some markets.
Sunday afternoon always attracts the most buyers as most people are done with the morning’s activities and ready to view homes. Late Saturday nights or early afternoons also work well, especially in competitive markets with high weekend traffic. Weekday nights may make sense if your target buyers work long hours, but typically more marketing is required to achieve the same attendance numbers.
Choose the best time of day
Choosing the right time is just as important as choosing the right day. Daylight, buyers’ schedules, and neighborhood activity all affect the feel of your home and how many people show up.
Mid-morning to early afternoon is usually ideal.
Most open houses perform best between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. This period captures buyers who want to start their day without a rush, enjoy their home in natural light, and still have time to visit multiple properties in one trip.
Natural light can be a game-changer.
Buyers respond well to bright and inviting spaces. Holding your open house when your home has the best natural light will make your rooms appear larger, warmer, and more inviting. If your home is illuminated by afternoon sun, schedule accordingly.
Consider the rhythm of your neighborhood.
In some areas, mornings are quiet and inviting. In other areas, the afternoon feels livelier and more energetic. Think about the times of day that make your location stand out the most: quiet streets, lively parks, beautiful scenery.
Avoid early morning or late evening.
In most cases, very early or late open houses conflict with busy schedules, low attendance, or dim lighting. However, there are exceptions. Homes with great sunrise light, dramatic sunset views, or unique nighttime views may benefit from nontraditional time zones.
Ultimately, choose a time of year when your home will look and feel its best.
Arranging the right lighting and buyer availability for your open house will give you the best chance of getting lots of attendees and serious interest.
Seasonal and location considerations
The best time for an open house is not the same throughout the year. It also varies by region. Weather patterns, daylight hours, and local lifestyle rhythms all influence when buyers are most active and when your home looks its best.
seasonal factors
Spring and early summer are the best seasons to see them.
With longer daylight hours, warmer temperatures, and an influx of eager buyers, this month is perfect for open houses in many markets.
Autumn is very effective under the right conditions.
Crisp air, colorful fall foliage, and a calm real estate market can create a cozy atmosphere, especially if your home has curb appeal.
Winter requires strategic timing.
Shorter days, colder weather and holiday schedules can reduce turnout. If you’re holding an open house in the winter, aim for the brightest, warmest hours of the day and make sure the aisles are clear and safe.
Location-based factors
Northern climate:
Areas with long winters (such as the Midwest or Alaska) benefit from holding an open house at midday when temperatures are warmer and natural light is strongest.
Sunny or warm states:
In places like Arizona and Florida, the daytime heat can be intense. An early afternoon or early morning open house may be more effective at keeping buyers comfortable.
Coastal and scenic areas:
If your home emphasizes ocean, mountain, or lake views, consider building your schedule around the times when those views are at their brightest.
Urban markets:
Crowded cities can attract buyers who work long hours and prefer to tour after weekend errands or brunch on evenings and Sundays.
Areas with many tourists:
Areas with seasonal tourist activity may experience spikes or declines in buyer activity depending on the time of year. Plan your trip around major local events and peak tourist seasons to avoid traffic jams and crowds.
How to make the most of your open house time
Choosing the right time for your open house is only half the equation. Making the most of that period will really help you attract buyers. With thoughtful strategy, you can turn ideal timing into stronger turnout, better impressions, and more serious offers.
Announce your open house early, ideally a few days (or even a week) in advance so buyers have time to plan and fit it into their schedules. Choose a time of day when your home looks its best, such as when there’s plenty of natural light, when the neighborhood is quiet, or when the views are most impressive. Thoroughly prepare your home. Clean, declutter, depersonalize, and stage each room to highlight your home’s best features. Promote your event across multiple channels, including platforms, social media, neighborhood groups, email lists, and well-placed directional signs on the day of the event. Check your local calendar for potential high-profile holidays, sporting events, festivals, and other major community activities to see if there are any scheduling conflicts. Enjoy a comfortable experience with comfortable temperature settings, soothing scents, soft background music, and appropriate lighting. Provide informational materials such as flyers, feature sheets, and neighborhood guides so buyers can leave with something memorable. Use sign-in sheets or digital forms to collect visitor information and follow up with them right away, while their interests and home details are always top of mind. Encourage questions and conversations to help you better understand what buyers are looking for and what elements of your home stand out to them. You can review your feedback after the event and make small improvements and updates before future screenings.
Read>> Prepare your home for an open house
mistakes to avoid
Even with good planning, getting certain things wrong can limit turnout and reduce buyer interest. Avoiding these common mistakes will ensure your open house attracts the most qualified buyers and leaves a strong impression.
Held too early or too late: Early mornings or late afternoons often result in lower turnout unless your home has a sunrise or sunset feature worth introducing. Coinciding with major events: Always check the community calendar first, as local festivals, sports games, and holidays can put off buyers. Ignore natural light: Choosing a time when your home looks dim or cast in shadows can make your home feel less attractive and smaller than it actually is. Not considering local buyer habits: Peak tour times vary by region. Ignoring them can reduce visibility and reduce buyer interest. Compete with multiple open houses nearby: Having too many open houses at the same time will split buyer traffic, so stagger your openings to stand out. Too little announcement: Buyers plan their tours in advance, so late announcements of your open house can significantly reduce attendance. Overlook the weather: Extreme heat, snow, and storms can prevent visitors from attending. Choose the time with the most favorable conditions. Not preparing your home for that moment: Even the best of times won’t help you if your home doesn’t look bright, clean, and comfortable. Less flexibility for early and late visitors: Some buyers arrive early or linger, so strict timings can cause you to miss out on important leads. Delayed follow-up: Without timely follow-up, even strong interest can quickly fade after the open house.
Read>> House showing do’s and don’ts
final thoughts
Choosing the right time for your open house can increase turnout and attract more serious buyers. With the help of a real estate agent, you can pinpoint the right time for your market and set yourself up for a successful home purchase.
FAQ: Best time for open house
When is the best time for an open house?
The best time for an open house is usually a Sunday afternoon when buyers are free and natural light illuminates the home.
Is Saturday a good day for an open house?
yes. Late Saturday nights or early afternoons work well, especially in markets with high weekend traffic.
Is the best time for an open house influenced by the season?
absolutely. Spring and summer support late afternoon screenings, while fall and winter often have earlier start times.
Are weekday open houses effective?
This is especially true in urban areas where buyers work late. However, stronger promotions are typically needed to match weekend turnout.
How long should an open house last?
The most effective open houses last two to three hours. This gives buyers flexibility without making the event too long.
What should sellers avoid when choosing the best time for an open house?
Avoid early mornings, late nights, major local events, and times of low light. These choices can limit attendance and reduce appeal.
